U.S. patent application number 12/668905 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-19 for fiber-optic scanner.
This patent application is currently assigned to KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.. Invention is credited to Waltherus Cornelis Jozef Bierhoff, Augustinus Laurentius Braun, Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Hendriks, Nanad Mihajlovic.
Application Number | 20100207015 12/668905 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40149771 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100207015 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bierhoff; Waltherus Cornelis Jozef
; et al. |
August 19, 2010 |
FIBER-OPTIC SCANNER
Abstract
A fiber scanning system is provided comprising a housing (102)
with a fiber (13), the fiber (13) comprising a fixed part and a
free end, the fixed part being attached to a bottom of the housing
(102) and the fiber (13) extending parallel to the wall of the
housing (102). At least one electrical coil (12) is attached to the
wall at a position in between the fixed part and the free end of
the fiber (13), a winding of the electrical coil (12) being in a
plane parallel to the fiber (13). A magnet (11) is attached to the
fiber (13), such that the electrical coil (12) may induce a force
on the magnet (11). The magnet (11) is attached to the fiber (13)
at a position just before or after the electrical coil (12), a
width of the magnet (11) being such that the magnet (11) extends
over the electrical coil (12).
Inventors: |
Bierhoff; Waltherus Cornelis
Jozef; (Eindhoven, NL) ; Hendriks; Bernardus
Hendrikus Wilhelmus; (Eindhoven, NL) ; Braun;
Augustinus Laurentius; (Eindhoven, NL) ; Mihajlovic;
Nanad; (Eindhoven, NL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PHILIPS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & STANDARDS
P.O. BOX 3001
BRIARCLIFF MANOR
NY
10510
US
|
Assignee: |
KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS
N.V.
EINDHOVEN
NL
|
Family ID: |
40149771 |
Appl. No.: |
12/668905 |
Filed: |
July 14, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
July 14, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2008/052821 |
371 Date: |
January 13, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
250/227.26 ;
359/200.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/0084 20130101;
A61B 5/0062 20130101; G02B 26/101 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
250/227.26 ;
359/200.7 |
International
Class: |
G02B 26/10 20060101
G02B026/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 20, 2007 |
EP |
07112833.4 |
Nov 27, 2007 |
EP |
07121670.9 |
Claims
1. fiber scanning system comprising: housing (102) with a bottom
and a wall, fiber (13), inside the housing (102), comprising a
fixed part and a free end, the fixed part being attached to the
bottom of the housing, the fiber (13) extending parallel to the
wall of the housing (102), at least one electrical coil (12),
attached to the wall at a position in between the fixed part and
the free end of the fiber (13), a winding of the electrical coil
(12) being in a plane parallel to the fiber (13), and magnet (11),
attached to the fiber (13) at a position just before or after the
electrical coil (12), a width of the magnet (11) being such that
the magnet (11) extends over the electrical coil (12).
2. A fiber scanning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
position of the magnet (11) is such that an air gap (16) between
the electrical coil (12) and the magnet (11) is larger than 5
micrometer.
3. A fiber scanning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the width
of the magnet (11) is such that the magnet (11) extends over the
electrical coil (12) for more than 10% of the coil length.
4. A fiber scanning system as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising at least a second magnet (41, 51) attached to the fiber
(13).
5. A fiber scanning system as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising at least a second electrical coil (52).
6. A fiber scanning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
magnet (11) is disk shaped.
7. A fiber scanning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a
distance between the fixed part of the fiber (13) and the magnet
(11) is adjustable.
8. A fiber scanning system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a
distance between the magnet (11) and the free end of the fiber (13)
is adjustable.
9. A fiber scanning system according to claim 1, wherein the fiber
(13) is a light guiding fiber.
10. A fiber scanning system according to claim 1, wherein the
magnet (11) is a permanent magnet.
11. A medical device comprising: a fiber scanning system according
to claim 1, a light source for sending light through the fiber (13)
of the fiber scanning system, a light detector coupled to the fiber
(13) for detecting reflected light, processing means coupled to the
light detector for processing a signal from the light detector, and
output means coupled to the processing means for providing the
processed signal to a user.
12. Use of a fiber scanning system according to claim 1 for
scanning in a resonant mode.
13. Use of a fiber scanning system according to claim 1 for
scanning in a non resonant mode.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a fiber scanning system
comprising a housing with a fiber, the fiber comprising a fixed
part and a free end, the fixed part being attached to a bottom of
the housing and the fiber extending parallel to the wall of the
housing. At least one electrical coil is attached to the wall at a
position in between the fixed part and the free end of the fiber, a
winding of the electrical coil being in a plane parallel to the
fiber. A magnet is attached to the fiber, such that the electrical
coil may induce a force on the magnet. In particular the invention
relates to an optical fiber scanning system for obtaining images or
spectral measurements of tissue.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] For correct diagnosis of various cancer diseases biopsies
are taken. This can either be via a lumen of an endoscope or via
needle biopsies. An example of a needle biopsy is shown in FIG. 7,
where a biopsy is taken from the prostate via the rectum. In order
to find the correct position to take the biopsy, various imaging
modalities are used such as X-ray, MRI and ultrasound. In case of
prostate cancer in most cases the biopsy is guided by ultrasound
(see FIG. 7). Although helpful, these methods of guidance are far
from optimal. The resolution is limited and, furthermore, these
imaging modalities can in most cases not discriminate between
benign and malignant tissue. As a result we do not know for certain
whether from the correct part of the tissue a biopsy is taken. We
take almost blind biopsies and even if after inspection of the
tissue no cancer cells are detected, we do not know for certain
that we did not simply miss the right spot to take the biopsy.
[0003] In order to improve the biopsy procedure direct inspection
of the biopt position prior of taken the biopt is required. A way
to achieve this is by microscopic inspection at this position. This
requires a miniaturized confocal microscope. In the publication in
Optical Fibers and Sensors for Medical Diagnosis and Treatment
Applications, Ed. I Gannot, Proc. SPIE vol. 6083 the article "A
full-color scanning fiber endoscope", by E. J. Seibel et al., a
fiber scanning fiber endoscope (see FIG. 8) a fiber scanning system
based on a piezo actuator is described. A drawback of this system
is that it is operated in a resonant way. Apart from being fast, a
resonant scanner has two drawbacks. The first is that scanning
pattern is fixed (see FIG. 9). If a certain part of the image is of
interest only or if you want to measure at a fixed position you
always have to scan the complete object. Especially in the case of
spectral imaging and two-photon spectral imaging some time is
required to collect the photons to have sufficient statistics. Also
the needed relatively high voltage of .about.75 Volt poses
additional constraints for, e.g., an endoscope or catheter.
[0004] Another drawback is that, due to resonance mode, the
position of the end tip of the fiber depends strongly on the
properties of the fiber. Small differences in the manufacturing of
the fiber will affect the scanning properties. Another drawback is
that the deflection of the fiber tip is limited in case of resonant
scanning The longer the fiber the slower the scanning and the
larger the fiber part beyond the actuating device. A longer fiber
makes the system tolerance sensitive and the risk of other modes
than the resonant mode is high. This means that resonant scanning
is less preferred.
[0005] In U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,967,772 and 7,010,978, a scanning fiber
system is described based on an electrically operated tuning fork.
Again this system is operated in resonance mode with some of the
drawbacks as mentioned above. Furthermore, the tuning fork makes
the system rather bulky limiting the downscaling of the system.
[0006] In U.S. Pat. No. 7,123,790, a scanning fiber system is
described using four electrical coils with windings in a plane
perpendicular to the fiber. The system of U.S. Pat. No. 7,123,790
uses a resonant driving method for scanning the fiber tip in an
elliptical pattern.
[0007] It is a disadvantage of the above described fiber scanning
systems, that they employ resonance scanning of the fiber resulting
in a system in which the area to be scanned cannot be easily
adjusted and in which the position of the fiber tip is less
well-defined.
[0008] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,317,148, a permanent magnet, attached to
an optical fiber, is enclosed by two electromagnet pairs with
windings in a plane parallel to the fiber. By controlling the
voltage to each of the magnets, the exact position of the permanent
magnet is controlled. As a result, the position of the free end of
the optical fiber is controlled to scan a target area using various
patterns. It is a disadvantage of the system disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,317,148 that it is relatively large and that is not suitable
for miniaturization. For example, for medical applications
miniaturization is an important aspect in order to minimize tissue
damage during examination of the patient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a fiber
scanning system that mitigates one or more drawbacks of the prior
art systems. More particular, it is an object of the invention to
provide a very small non-resonant fiber scanning system. Therefore,
in the system according to the invention, the magnet is attached to
the fiber at a position just before or after the electrical coil, a
width of the magnet being such that the magnet extends over the
electrical coil. As a result of the small distance between the
magnet and the electrical coil, the resulting force is relatively
large. Consequently, the fiber tip can be put in any position
within the scanning area. It can operate in scanning mode or can
remain fixed in a well-defined position. Because the deflection of
the fiber is defined by the actuator (magnet--electrical coil
combination) and not by the resonance properties of the fiber, the
position of the tip is well defined.
[0010] A further aspect of the invention is that the fiber can also
scan in a resonant mode. This allows image formation at a fast time
scale and if required a spectrum can be measured of a certain point
of the tissue at a longer time scale. This dual mode scanning is of
particular importance for tissue inspection where image formation
and spectral measurements are required i.e. for optical biopsy.
[0011] A further aspect of the invention, as shown in FIG. 10, is
that the magnet is preferably attached to the fiber and the coils
are attached to the housing.
[0012] The fiber may be arranged to guide light. In this way the
system can be used to obtain an image or to obtain spectral
measurement from tissue in front of the system.
[0013] A further aspect of the invention is that the fiber scanning
system is used in a medical system, such as an endoscope, a
catheter, a biopsy or other type of needle.
[0014] These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from
and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described
hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] In the figures:
[0016] FIG. 1 shows the actuator part of a fiber scanning system
according to the invention,
[0017] FIG. 2 shows the actuator in greater detail,
[0018] FIG. 3 shows the actuator part in perspective,
[0019] FIG. 4 shows an actuator with two magnets,
[0020] FIG. 5 shows an actuator with three magnets and two sets of
electrical coils,
[0021] FIG. 6 shows a top view of the actuator according to the
invention,
[0022] FIG. 7 shows a schematic drawing of taking a biopsy via the
rectum under ultrasound guidance (prior art),
[0023] FIG. 8 shows a scanning system consisting of a laser coupled
to a fiber, where the fiber is coupled to a scanning system (prior
art),
[0024] FIG. 9 shows an example of a resonant scanning pattern of a
piezo drive fiber (prior art),
[0025] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the fiber scanning system
according to the invention,
[0026] FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of the fiber scanning system
according to the invention with the fiber tip in three different
positions,
[0027] FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of the fiber scanning system
according to the invention with adjustable distances between the
centering ring, magnet and fiber tip, and
[0028] FIG. 13 shows the embodiment of FIG. 12 with adjusted
distances.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] In a first embodiment the scanner consists of fiber with two
magnets mounted on it. In the housing 102 of the scanner four coils
12 are mounted that do not contact the fiber 13. The fiber 13
itself is mounted in a centering ring 101 that is connected to the
housing 102 (see FIG. 10). When a current is applied to one of the
coils 12, due to Lorenz forces, the magnet 11 will be pushed in one
or the other direction depending on the direction of the current.
By applying the current sequentially in the coils 12 the fiber tip
can be placed in any wanted position within the working area. This
is shown in FIG. 11.
[0030] Furthermore, it is possible to use only one magnet instead
of two and to use 3 coils instead of 4 coils. With two oppositely
placed coils or even with one coil and one magnet, line scanning in
one direction is possible.
[0031] The stroke of the end of the fiber tip depends on the length
between the cantilever point and the position of the motor
(actuator) and the free length of the fiber above the motor part.
See L1 and L2 in FIG. 12. The stroke of the end of the fiber tip
further depends on the dimensions of the housing, and the
electromagnetic coupling between magnets and coils.
[0032] The length L2 also determines the resonance frequency and
the achievable stroke in the resonance mode. By changing the
cantilever position with respect to the motor and the length of the
free end of the fiber the stroke and frequency can be changed (see
FIG. 13).
[0033] FIG. 1 shows the actuator of the scanning system according
to the invention. The actuator comprises the magnet 11 and the
electrical coils 12. The magnet may be a permanent magnet or a
piece of ferromagnetic material that becomes magnetized in the
proximity of a magnetic field. The fiber 13 bends in the indicated
bending area 14, due to forces between the magnet 11 attached to
the fiber 13 and the coils 12 attached to the housing. This results
in a travel 15 of the magnet 11 and the fiber 13 with respect to
the housing.
[0034] FIG. 2 shows in greater detail the coils 12 and the magnet
11 of the actuator. The windings of a coil 12 lie in a plane
parallel to the fiber 13 and the orientation of the coil 12 is
orthogonal to the fiber 13. The magnetizing direction (NS
direction) of the magnet 11 is parallel to the fiber 13. The
resulting force between a coil 12 and the magnet 11 when a current
flows through the coil 12 is orthogonal to the fiber 13, making the
magnet 11 travel as indicated. The size of the magnet 11 is such
that it is close to the coils 12 during its travel, resulting in a
small air gap 16 between the coils 12 and the magnet 11. Because
the air gap 16 is small, the resulting force is relatively large
making it possible to fix the fiber 13 in a desired position. As
can be seen in FIG. 1, the path traveled by the magnet 11 is
circular. However, since the radius 17 is relatively large, the
path is almost a straight line. This makes that the air gap 16 is
almost constant during the travel and that it therefore can be
chosen very small. So the force is then large and constant during
the travel. For proper operation, the air gap 16 should at least be
larger than 5 micrometer to avoid the movement of the magnet 11
being obstructed by the coils 12. Preferably, the air gap 16 is
between 50 and 100 micrometer wide. Larger air gaps 16 result in
smaller forces. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the magnet 11 size is
such that, in equilibrium position, the magnet extends over
approximately 50% of the coil length. For stronger forces, the
magnet should be large and extend over the coils as much as
possible. However, due to mechanical constraints, a larger magnet
may decrease the freedom of movement for the fiber tip. Preferably,
the magnet extends at least over 10% of the coil length.
[0035] FIG. 3 shows in perspective an embodiment where the magnet
11 and fiber 13 can be scanned, i.e. positioned, in two directions
with respect to the coils 12 that are fixed to the housing (not
shown). To this end, four coils 12 and a disk-shaped magnet 11 are
used in this embodiment.
[0036] FIG. 4 shows and embodiment with two magnets 11, 41. Here
the forces that drive the fiber 13 are nearly doubled with respect
to FIG. 2.
[0037] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment with two sets of coils 12, 52 and
three magnets 11, 41, 51 to further increase the force on the fiber
13.
[0038] FIG. 6 shows a top view of the actuator according to the
invention. It clearly shows the relatively large area available for
moving the fiber 13 between the four coils 12. This makes that a
relatively large area can be scanned by the system according to the
invention. Line scanning in one dimension is already possible when
using only one of the four coils 12. Scanning in two directions
requires at least two non parallel and preferably orthogonally
placed coils 12.
[0039] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a fiber scanning system
according to the invention. One end of the fiber 13 is attached to
the housing 102. The free end of the fiber 13 is situated close to
a lens 103 for focusing light at a target area. Two magnets 11, 41
are attached to the fiber 13. In between the magnets 11, 41, a set
of coils 12 is attached to the housing 102. The coils 12 and the
magnets 11, 41 are arranged such that the coils 12 can induce a
force on the magnets 11, 41 to push or pull the fiber tip to a
desired position.
[0040] FIG. 11 shows the embodiment of FIG. 10 with the fiber tip
in three different positions. In the most left figure, the current
through the coils 12 is such that the resulting magnetic field
pushes or pulls the magnets 11, 41 to the left.
[0041] FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of the fiber scanning system
according to the invention with adjustable distances between the
centering ring, magnet and fiber tip. The fiber 13 is attached to
the housing at the centering ring 101 and bends in the fiber part
close to the centering ring 101. The stroke, of the end of the
fiber tip, is depending on the length between the centering ring
101 and the position of the actuator 121 and the free length of the
fiber 13 above the actuator part 121. See L1 and L2 in FIG. 12. The
length L2 also determines the resonance frequency and the
achievable stroke in the resonance mode. By changing the position
of the centering ring 101 with respect to the actuator part 121 and
the length of the free end of the fiber, the stroke and frequency
can be changed.
[0042] FIG. 13 shows the embodiment of FIG. 12 with adjusted
distances. The centering ring 101 is moved towards the actuator
part 121, thereby making the length L1 very small and increasing
the stroke of the fiber tip.
[0043] A fiber scanning system with coils and a magnet attached to
the fiber is disclosed in FIG. 9 of U.S. Pat. No. 7,123,790. This
system operates in a resonance mode, as the other prior art
systems. The fiber scanning system according to the present
embodiment has a number of features distinguishing it from that
prior art system. These features include:
[0044] The orientation of the coils in the present system is 90
degrees rotated with respect to the prior art system.
[0045] The size of the magnet in the present system is increased
with respect to the prior art system and now substantially overlaps
the coils.
[0046] The coils in the present system are made shorter than the
coils in the prior art system.
[0047] These features may all be applied simultaneously in order to
arrive at the preferred system with its immanent advantages. These
advantages include:
[0048] operable in a resonant and in a non-resonant mode, i.e.
position the fiber at arbitrary positions in the working area,
[0049] relatively large working area for moving the fiber,
[0050] well-defined position of the fiber tip.
[0051] Furthermore, it is to be noted that it is common practice
for creating a force between an electric coil and a magnet to use
an orientation of the coil with respect to the magnet as is
described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,123,790. Well-known applications like
dynamos and motors all use such an orientation between coil and
magnet.
[0052] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments
illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled
in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments
without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the
claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be
construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "comprise" and its
conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps
other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an"
preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality
of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of
hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a
suitably programmed computer. In the device claim enumerating
several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and
the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are
recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate
that a combination of these measures cannot be used to
advantage.
* * * * *